Chakwera wants to create ‘a new Malawi’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Presidential Candidate for the May 20 Tripartite Elections, Dr. Lazarous Chakwera has said time is now ripe to create a new Malawi by being independent and wean herself from donor dependence.

Speaking at the headquarters of Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi, Chakwera said God has blessed Malawi with abundant resources such as lakes and rivers which the country can utilize to enrich itself thereby attain self–sustenance.

Chakwera said the country’s resources could be put to good use and make the country to be independent economically.

Chakwera : Time to create a new Malawi

“Malawi is not respected in other countries because we beg too much. For a long time we have relied on begging despite having huge resources that can make the nation prosper and stand on its own feet,” Chakwera said.

Chakwera said it was important to empower Malawians to work industriously and benefit from their own sweat instead of living on handouts which demean human dignity.

The presidential hopeful also said if given the mandate to govern on May 20 the party would introduce universal farm input subsidy because the current programme has a myriad of problems, hence not benefiting the poor considering that it has been heavily politicized.

He added that the MCP once ushered into power would encourage farmers to form cooperatives to enable them benefit from their toil since the MCP led government would find markets for them.

“On the other hand, the famers at every level will be producing enough food every year,” he said. “Our government will also dwell much on improving fish farming as we will make sure that companies such as MALDECO Fisheries are active and benefiting local and small fishermen.”

On education, Chakwera said the party would make sure that teachers are paid on time and that girls are empowered to go to school by constructing more boarding facilities in secondary schools.

Chakwera, however, said the party if voted into power would look into the welfare of civil servants by among other things revising salary structure and making sure that they are paid in time.

He, therefore, urged all Malawians to vote for MCP in their large numbers come May 20 so that the party wins with a majority vote in the first ever tripartite elections.